Tranquil City Fringe Homes To Be Developed Along Upper Bukit Timah, De Souza Avenue

Nestled in a serene private residential neighbourhood in Bukit TImah, the upcoming project to be built in De Souza Avenue is expected to appeal to a broad group of buyers, particularly nature lovers as the site is virtually surrounded by greenery.

In a land tender that closed on 18 July, the De Souza Avenue site attracted 2 bids, with a top bid of $278.9 million placed by SL Capital (8) Pte Ltd (an entity of Sustained Land). The top bid price works out to a land rate of $841 psf per plot ratio. The De Souza Avenue site - in the city fringe location in District 21 - can potentially yield 355 private residential units.

Perhaps the nearby 258-unit Verdale, could give an indication of the popularity of the location among home buyers. Verdale was put on the market in September 2020 - amid the pandemic - and the development was fully sold in May 2022.

Lush greenery abounds

A key highlight of the locale is how green the surrounding areas are. There is the Jalan Tekukor Playground in front of the plot, across the road; towards the top of the plot is the Bukit Timah Nature Park, while the sprawling Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Singapore's highest peak is a stone's throw away. There is also the Rail Corridor a short distance from the site.

All that translates to plenty of recreation offerings for future residents, from hiking on trails to the summit of the Bukit Timah Hill, to cycling along the park connector network nearby, to taking peaceful and contemplative walks around the quarry at the Bukit Timah Nature Park, where the World War II memorial plaque - commemorating the soldiers who died during the war - is situated.

Tapping on the redevelopment of Beauty World

Apart from a handful of shops at nearby development The Hillford, it is likely that residents of the future project at De Souza Avenue will have to make a short trip to Beauty World for a more comprehensive range of F&B and retail offerings.

Beauty World is set to undergo an exciting makeover that will transform the precinct into a green urban village, bringing a new lease of life to the area. The upcoming integrated development in Jalan Anak Bukit will be a centrepiece of Beauty World, providing new homes, serviced apartments and a new three-storey mall, Bukit V. There are also charming, retro shopping complexes which date back to the 1980s - such as the Beauty World Plaza, Beauty World Centre, and Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

There are plenty of dining options in and around Beauty World, including eateries along Cheong Chin Nam Road and Chun Tin Road. Heading up towards Hillview, residents can find more F&B offerings at The Rail Mall, and the HillV2 mall.

Schools

There are several schools around the area, including Keming Primary School, Bukit View Primary, Bukit Timah Primary School, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and the Dimensions International College (Bukit Timah Campus).

Connectivity

A potential downside, however, is that this site is not particularly near to an MRT station - the nearest (about 1-km away) being the Beauty World MRT station on the Downtown Line. This could mean a 15-minute walk - via unsheltered paths - from the project to the train station. Alternatively, the Beauty World MRT station is a 4-minute drive or a 6-minute bus ride away.

The aforementioned Jalan Anak Bukit development will be integrated with a transport hub, which will comprise not only the Beauty World MRT station, but also an air-conditioned bus interchange.

Meanwhile, residents who drive will likely enjoy the direct access to the major road, Jalan Jurong Kechil, which takes them on to the Bukit Timah Road and into the city. The Orchard Road shopping belt is a 20-minutes' drive from the site, while it takes about 30 minutes to get to the central business district via car.

It is also worthy to note that the King Albert Park MRT station - one stop from Beauty World - will also be an interchange for the Downtown Line and the future Cross Island Line, which will connect major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi region.

About the developer

Sustained Land Pte. Ltd. is a dynamic real estate development and investment company based in Singapore, renowned for its commitment to creating high-quality residential and commercial properties. Established with a vision to deliver innovative and sustainable real estate solutions, the company focuses on developing projects that enhance urban living while prioritizing environmental stewardship and architectural excellence. Some of its notable projects include The Gazania, Sky Everton, One Meyer and Tre Residences.